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In Defense of Socialism: Four speeches on the 30th anniversary of the Cuban revolution
Not only is economic and social progress possible without the dog-eat-dog competition of capitalism, Castro argues, but socialism remains the only way forward for humanity. Also discusses Cuba's role in the struggle against the apartheid regime in southern Africa.
176 pages, Paperback
First published May 1, 1989
396 people want to read
About the author
Fidel Castro
579 books291 followersCuban revolutionary leader Fidel Castro overthrew the regime of Fulgencio Batista y Zaldívar in 1959, established a Communist state, served as prime minister until 1976 and then as president of the government and first secretary of the party, in declining health passed control de facto in 2006 to Raúl Castro, his younger brother, and officially retired in 2008.
Fidel Castro led a revolutionary movement that overthrew corrupt authoritarian regime of Fulgencio Batista y Zaldívar on New Year's Day, 1 January 1959.
Raúl Castro assisted Fidel Castro, his brother, in overthrowing the regime of Fulgencio Batista y Zaldívar in 1959.
United States in an attempt to overthrow the government of Fidel Castro trained a force of 1,500 guerrilla troops, who landed at Bay of Pigs, the site, in an ill-fated invasion on 17 April 1961.
Castro, the illegitimate son of a wealthy farmer, adopted leftist anti-imperialist politics and meanwhile studied law at the University of Havana. He participated in rebellions against right wing in the Dominican Republic and Colombia, afterward failed in an attack on the barracks of Moncada, planned against the military junta, which the United States of America backed, and served imprisonment for a year in 1953. On release, he went to Mexico, formed the movement of 26 July as a group with Ernesto Guevara, his friend and doctor.
Fidel Alejandro Castro Ruz, a politician, also served as the commander in chief of the armed forces. This politically Marxist-Leninist administered the socialist republic. People nationalized industry and businesses and implemented socialist reforms in all parts of society. Castro returned, ousted rivals in 1959, and brought his own assumption of military and political power.
Credentials of Castro and cordial relations with the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics alarmed the Administrations of Dwight David Eisenhower and John Fitzgerald Kennedy, who unsuccessfully attempted economic blockade, assassination, and even the invasion at Bay of Pigs of 1961 to remove him. In 1961, Castro proclaimed the socialist nature of his administration under rule of its kind in the Western Hemisphere. The press and suppression of internal dissent accompanied socialist reforms that introduced central economic planning and expanded care and education.
Castro countered these threats, formed an economic and military alliance with the Soviets, allowed them to place nuclear weapons on the island, and thus sparked sparking the missile crisis in 1962.
Internationally, Castro also served as general of the nonaligned movement from 1979 to 1983.
Abroad, Castro supported foreign groups in the expectation of toppling world capitalism, sent troops to fight in the wars of Yom Kippur, Ogaden, and Angola.
Following the dissolution of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics in 1991, Castro went into economic "special period" and afterward forged alliances in the Latin American pink tide, namely with Venezuela of Hugo Chávez, and joined the Bolivarian alliance in 2006.
Due to failing, Castro in 2006 transferred his responsibilities to his vice, who assumed in 2008.
Supporters lauded Castro, a controversial and divisive world figure, as a champion of socialism, humanitarianism, and environmentalism against imperialism; critics viewed him as a dictator, who oversaw multiple rights abuses, an exodus of more than a million persons, and the impoverishment of the economy of the country. Through actions and writings, he significantly influenced the politics of various individuals and groups across the world.
Fidel Castro led a revolutionary movement that overthrew corrupt authoritarian regime of Fulgencio Batista y Zaldívar on New Year's Day, 1 January 1959.
Raúl Castro assisted Fidel Castro, his brother, in overthrowing the regime of Fulgencio Batista y Zaldívar in 1959.
United States in an attempt to overthrow the government of Fidel Castro trained a force of 1,500 guerrilla troops, who landed at Bay of Pigs, the site, in an ill-fated invasion on 17 April 1961.
Castro, the illegitimate son of a wealthy farmer, adopted leftist anti-imperialist politics and meanwhile studied law at the University of Havana. He participated in rebellions against right wing in the Dominican Republic and Colombia, afterward failed in an attack on the barracks of Moncada, planned against the military junta, which the United States of America backed, and served imprisonment for a year in 1953. On release, he went to Mexico, formed the movement of 26 July as a group with Ernesto Guevara, his friend and doctor.
Fidel Alejandro Castro Ruz, a politician, also served as the commander in chief of the armed forces. This politically Marxist-Leninist administered the socialist republic. People nationalized industry and businesses and implemented socialist reforms in all parts of society. Castro returned, ousted rivals in 1959, and brought his own assumption of military and political power.
Credentials of Castro and cordial relations with the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics alarmed the Administrations of Dwight David Eisenhower and John Fitzgerald Kennedy, who unsuccessfully attempted economic blockade, assassination, and even the invasion at Bay of Pigs of 1961 to remove him. In 1961, Castro proclaimed the socialist nature of his administration under rule of its kind in the Western Hemisphere. The press and suppression of internal dissent accompanied socialist reforms that introduced central economic planning and expanded care and education.
Castro countered these threats, formed an economic and military alliance with the Soviets, allowed them to place nuclear weapons on the island, and thus sparked sparking the missile crisis in 1962.
Internationally, Castro also served as general of the nonaligned movement from 1979 to 1983.
Abroad, Castro supported foreign groups in the expectation of toppling world capitalism, sent troops to fight in the wars of Yom Kippur, Ogaden, and Angola.
Following the dissolution of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics in 1991, Castro went into economic "special period" and afterward forged alliances in the Latin American pink tide, namely with Venezuela of Hugo Chávez, and joined the Bolivarian alliance in 2006.
Due to failing, Castro in 2006 transferred his responsibilities to his vice, who assumed in 2008.
Supporters lauded Castro, a controversial and divisive world figure, as a champion of socialism, humanitarianism, and environmentalism against imperialism; critics viewed him as a dictator, who oversaw multiple rights abuses, an exodus of more than a million persons, and the impoverishment of the economy of the country. Through actions and writings, he significantly influenced the politics of various individuals and groups across the world.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
September 24, 2014
"A socialist revolution does not occur on a solitary planet. It happens in the world today where there are great tragedies, where there is still an empire as powerful as the United States, where imperialism is still a reality, and where there is still a group of industrialized capitalist nations who are rich and powerful and impose their selfish standards on much of the world."
October 8, 2014
Never believe everything you read in the newspapers.
The only socialist revolution still alive is described here by Fidel when he was still young and spry enough to record it. And Pathfinder Press is the one small publishing house that makes it possible to read the words revolutionists over the generations and centuries have had to say themselves.
For some reason--probably because he was martyred while he was still young--the words of Che Guevara maintain meaning today for so many people, but those of Castro are often dismissed as those of a dictator, largely because of Washington's disinformation.
What do you think? You can't tell without reading both sides. Highly recommended!
The only socialist revolution still alive is described here by Fidel when he was still young and spry enough to record it. And Pathfinder Press is the one small publishing house that makes it possible to read the words revolutionists over the generations and centuries have had to say themselves.
For some reason--probably because he was martyred while he was still young--the words of Che Guevara maintain meaning today for so many people, but those of Castro are often dismissed as those of a dictator, largely because of Washington's disinformation.
What do you think? You can't tell without reading both sides. Highly recommended!
April 25, 2022
This collection does an excellent job of conveying the oratory skills that Fidel possessed and used so eloquently to communicate with the Cuban people. These speeches excellently display the humanity and overall determination of both Fidel and the Cubans as a revolutionary nation. The concepts that stick out most prominently from these 4 speeches are dedication to internationalism, and the idea that people are best rewarded and incentivized by solid principles/ideals supported by concrete action. Slaving away all day for a pittance to make some landholder enough money to go spend a sordid week in Batista era Havana possesses no motivating factors. Toiling 10-12 hours on work that you find fulfilling, or on a project you believe serves yourself and your community, supported by a government that encourages thoughtful and meaningful labour? That's not so bad. One might even say that's what a lot of people in capitalist nations today wish their labour was. Better than 8 hour days with 2 hours of travel that you feel is actively making the world a worse place.
March 15, 2022
Really moving speeches from Castro that provide a lot of context to what I have heard growing up from my own family and their friends (which mostly is biased bs :p ), so I appreciated this. I feel like to fully take it in I need to read more about the revolution though, so this is something that I might revisit in the future. I particularly liked the last speech about the future of socialism - p inspiring!
September 13, 2024
Brilliant, start to finish.
October 27, 2025
Economic and social progress is not only possible without the dog-eat-dog competition of capitalism, but socialism remains the only way forward for humanity. Fidel Castro describes the decisive place of Cuban volunteer combatants in the final stage of the struggle in Angola against the invasion forces of the South African apartheid regime (see also Cuba and Angola: Fighting for Africa’s Freedom and Our Own).
“In the light of the global crisis of socialism, it is in some ways revitalizing to be reminded of the intensity of conviction of one of the world's greatest revolutionary leaders.” — Journal of Social Development in Africa
“In the light of the global crisis of socialism, it is in some ways revitalizing to be reminded of the intensity of conviction of one of the world's greatest revolutionary leaders.” — Journal of Social Development in Africa
June 20, 2009
Bought it at a multi-family "yard sale" in the Musicians' Union hall
from the grandson of an I.W.W. Irresistible reason to read it!
Later: Rambling and repetitive, but very interesting details about
how the Cuban revolution worked and how Castro operated.
from the grandson of an I.W.W. Irresistible reason to read it!
Later: Rambling and repetitive, but very interesting details about
how the Cuban revolution worked and how Castro operated.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews